RZA Says Kanye West Has "Focused Energy," Recalls Recording Sessions

During his talk for Red Bull Academy, RZA discussed Kanye West’s work ethic and recalled recording sessions where he saw West’s “focused energy” firsthand. RZA also compared West’s work ethic to the Wu’s, saying that drive is what has taken West to “the top.”

Looking back at his time working with Kanye on My Dark Twisted Fantasy, RZA shared insight on what he saw.

“I’ma tell you something this young man does,” RZA said, speaking of West. “They get up every morning to eat breakfast together, his whole crew. They talk about yesterday and the next day and the present. They plan, all over breakfast. They sit there and they talk about what they gonna do, what they did and how to make the music better. Then, they go exercise together. They go to the YMCA. They play basketball, lift weights. Focus, get the energy out.

He continued, explaining how a 12 hour studio session would end the day.

“He would do some charity work…Therefore, he’s doing the good deed of the day as well, good karma. Then, he goes to the studio. He stays there from 4pm and when I was there, we left at 4. So, 12 hours of in-studio work. Then he’d go to bed and do it again the next day.”

RZA also compared this recording style to his time spent with the Wu.

“The way everything happened was like focused energy, yo. Actually, I’ve never seen that from a rapper before. I come from Wu-Tang Clan. Y’all know us. 5 of us show up for the concert, the other 3 late, some ain’t doin’ it, some are sleeping. It’s not only his talent that took him to the top. I’ve gotta say, it’s his focus, y’all.”